When copying values in Excel 2010 which feature automatically adjust cell reference for the new copy location?

When you copy a cell containing a formula, you will notice that the cell references in the formula also move a corresponding number of cells across and down. This type of cell reference is called a relative reference.

When we copy (Ctrl + C) the formula in the image above, and paste (Ctrl + V) it into another cell, you’ll notice that the cell references change from the B column to the D column, so the total is different.

If you want to prevent Excel from changing the cell references when copying cells, you need to use absolute references. To create an absolute reference, insert a dollar sign ($) before both parts of the cell reference in the formula you want to freeze, as illustrated in the following image.

There are three different types of references, relative, absolute, and mixed. The following are some examples:

1. Relative Reference: A1 tells Excel to change the cell references to the corresponding columns and rows.
2. Mixed Reference: $A1 tells Excel you always want to refer to column A.
3. Mixed Reference: B$1 tells Excel you always want to refer to row 1.
4. Absolute Reference: $B$1 tells Excel you always want to refer to cell B1.

There is a shorthand method for entering the dollar signs as you select or enter cell references in a formula. As you are typing a formula and finish a cell reference, press F4 to toggle between the 4 combinations of reference types. Let’s say you started typing a formula and you typed =100*B1.

• Press F4 and your formula changes to =100*$B$1 (always refer to cell B1)
• Press F4 again and your formula changes to =100*B$1 (always refer to row 1)
• Press F4 again and your formula changes to =100*$B1 (always refer to column B)
• Press F4 again and your formula returns to the original relative reference =100*B1 (always change the reference to the corresponding columns and rows)

You can pause while entering each cell reference in the formula to press F4 until you get the right reference type for the current cell reference.

To copy the formula entered using absolute references and preserve the cell references, select the cell containing the formula and copy it (Ctrl + C) and click the destination cell into which you want to paste the formula.

Make sure the Home tab is the active tab on the ribbon. Click the arrow on the Paste button in the Paste section of the Home tab. Select Formulas from the drop-down menu.

You will notice that the total displays in the destination cell from the original cell, and the formula that displays in the Formula Bar for the destination cell contains the same absolute references as the original formula in the original cell.

NOTE: Copying and pasting a formula into a destination cell does not mean that the formula will be updated in the destination cell when it is updated in the original cell.

There is a way you can copy and paste a cell containing a formula to a destination cell such that the results of the formula in the original cell always display in the destination cell as they change. You can link to the original cell.

To do this, select and copy the original cell with the formula again and click the cell into which you want to paste the link to the original cell. Click the Paste button in the Paste section of the Home tab to display the drop-down menu. Select Paste Link from the menu.

You will notice that, again, the total from the original cell displays in the destination cell. However, this time, the Formula Bar displays an absolute reference to the original cell containing the formula. Every time the results change in the original cell, the total displayed in the destination cell updates as well.

NOTE: If all you want to do is paste the result of the formula into the destination cell, select Paste Values from the Paste drop-down menu when pasting into the destination cell.

Pasting a link is a handy feature if you want to display a total from one part of a worksheet in a more prominent location with special formatting, possibly for a presentation, and you want to keep the cell containing the link updated. Enjoy!

A worksheet in Excel is made up of cells. These cells can be referenced by specifying the row value and the column value.

For example, A1 would refer to the first row (specified as 1) and the first column (specified as A). Similarly, B3 would be the third row and second column.

The power of Excel lies in the fact that you can use these cell references in other cells when creating formulas.

Now there are three kinds of cell references that you can use in Excel:

• Relative Cell References
• Absolute Cell References
• Mixed Cell References

Understanding these different types of cell references will help you work with formulas and save time (especially when copy-pasting formulas).

What are Relative Cell References in Excel?

Let me take a simple example to explain the concept of relative cell references in Excel.

Suppose I have a data set shown below:

To calculate the total for each item, we need to multiply the price of each item with the quantity of that item.

For the first item, the formula in cell D2 would be B2* C2 (as shown below):

Now, instead of entering the formula for all the cells one by one, you can simply copy cell D2 and paste it into all the other cells (D3:D8). When you do it, you will notice that the cell reference automatically adjusts to refer to the corresponding row. For example, the formula in cell D3 becomes B3*C3 and the formula in D4 becomes B4*C4.

These cell references that adjust itself when the cell is copied are called relative cell references in Excel.

When to Use Relative Cell References in Excel?

Relative cell references are useful when you have to create a formula for a range of cells and the formula needs to refer to a relative cell reference.

In such cases, you can create the formula for one cell and copy-paste it into all cells.

What are Absolute Cell References in Excel?

Unlike relative cell references, absolute cell references don’t change when you copy the formula to other cells.

For example, suppose you have the data set as shown below where you have to calculate the commission for each item’s total sales.

The commission is 20% and is listed in cell G1.

To get the commission amount for each item sale, use the following formula in cell E2 and copy for all cells:

Note that there are two dollar signs ($) in the cell reference that has the commission – $G$2.

What does the Dollar ($) sign do?

A dollar symbol, when added in front of the row and column number, makes it absolute (i.e., stops the row and column number from changing when copied to other cells).

For example, in the above case, when I copy the formula from cell E2 to E3, it changes from =D2*$G$1 to =D3*$G$1.

Note that while D2 changes to D3, $G$1 doesn’t change.

Since we have added a dollar symbol in front of ‘G’ and ‘1’ in G1, it wouldn’t let the cell reference change when it’s copied.

Hence this makes the cell reference absolute.

When to Use Absolute Cell References in Excel?

Absolute cell references are useful when you don’t want the cell reference to change as you copy formulas. This could be the case when you have a fixed value that you need to use in the formula (such as tax rate, commission rate, number of months, etc.)

While you can also hard code this value in the formula (i.e., use 20% instead of $G$2), having it in a cell and then using the cell reference allows you to change it at a future date.

For example, if your commission structure changes and you’re now paying out 25% instead of 20%, you can simply change the value in cell G2, and all the formulas would automatically update.

What are Mixed Cell References in Excel?

Mixed cell references are a bit more tricky than the absolute and relative cell references.

There can be two types of mixed cell references:

• The row is locked while the column changes when the formula is copied.
• The column is locked while the row changes when the formula is copied.

Let’s see how it works using an example.

Below is a data set where you need to calculate the three tiers of commission based on the percentage value in cell E2, F2, and G2.

Now you can use the power of mixed reference to calculate all these commissions with just one formula.

Enter the below formula in cell E4 and copy for all cells.

=$B4*$C4*E$2

The above formula uses both kinds of mixed cell references (one where the row is locked and one where the column is locked).

Let’s analyze each cell reference and understand how it works:

• $B4 (and $C4) –  In this reference, the dollar sign is right before the Column notation but not before the Row number. This means that when you copy the formula to the cells on the right, the reference will remain the same as the column is fixed. For example, if you copy the formula from E4 to F4, this reference would not change. However, when you copy it down, the row number would change as it is not locked.
• E$2 – In this reference, the dollar sign is right before the row number, and the Column notation has no dollar sign. This means that when you copy the formula down the cells, the reference will not change as the row number is locked. However, if you copy the formula to the right, the column alphabet would change as it’s not locked.

How to Change the Reference from Relative to Absolute (or Mixed)?

To change the reference from relative to absolute, you need to add the dollar sign before the column notation and the row number.

For example, A1 is a relative cell reference, and it would become absolute when you make it $A$1.

If you only have a couple of references to change, you may find it easy to change these references manually. So you can go to the formula bar and edit the formula (or select the cell, press F2, and then change it).

However, a faster way to do this is by using the keyboard shortcut – F4.

When you select a cell reference (in the formula bar or in the cell in edit mode) and press F4, it changes the reference.

Suppose you have the reference =A1 in a cell.

Here is what happens when you select the reference and press the F4 key.

• Press F4 key once: The cell reference changes from A1 to $A$1 (becomes ‘absolute’ from ‘relative’).
• Press F4 key two times: The cell reference changes from A1 to A$1 (changes to mixed reference where the row is locked).
• Press F4 key three times: The cell reference changes from A1 to $A1 (changes to mixed reference where the column is locked).
• Press F4 key four times: The cell reference becomes A1 again.

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